Gen 3 Towing Thread

I did not try 4lo. Cricketeer asked me that same question. I'll give it a try next time but the turn at the top of the hill is super sharp. Didn't want to bind my wheels.

 

Never had an issue pulling it out of any boat ramps in the past. Just the hill leaving this particular property. It was excessively steep.

 

It would be interesting to know if the automatic would have handled it.

 

I have one like that near by on a river. Only time I ever saw a vehicle backed down with a trailer was some scruffy looking guy with an old Jeep Wagoneer that was so trashed I figured if anything bad happened he would just let the river have it.

 

I suppose in an emergency situation , you could bring along some sand and have someone feed it under the inside (of the turn) front tire at the top of the hill for the turn while in 4wd low. Enough to let the tire slip for the turn ?

 

How do you back the boat down these hills and turns?

 

One other question for now... were you using the hand emergency brake and had your feet on the gas and clutch?

 

Never had to back down. Just drive in (down the steep hill and sharp turn) in 2wd. No problems. Then turn around by the boat ramp and back it in the water. It's when I left the property, that was the issue.

 

I was not using the emergency brake. But I did have feet on gas and clutch. And looking back, I had to switch to my foot brake when it died. Maybe using the e brake would have helped.

 

It's difficult without being there to judge if this was mechanical or driver. You are confident the major clutch work you had two months ago wasn't a factor? It is certainly another variable.

Betcha I could have gotten that sumbitch outta there!

 

I am no expert, but the clutch felt similar to when I bought the truck after the work that was done.

Been driving manuals for 25 years. Been towing boats for 10 years. Only my second season towing with a manual however. I don't claim to be a professional manual driver by any means, but I do have some history and experience with difficult situations with a stick.

Some, including you, may be able to pull out of that situation without issues. I'm just here to learn and get feedback so the next time I can pull it off myself and not look like a dweeb in front of my kids.

At what point does a truck manufacturer rate the towing capacity on a 35-40 degree incline? Should it be the same on level ground vs going up a steep hill?

I appreciate all the feedback.

 

I find that the 5 speed auto in my 13 is a lot stronger than the 6 speed MT that was in my 06. In situations where I take off on an incline with a heavy load, I find the auto much better. That has been my experience.

 

It would have to be one god damned heavy load or one slippery slope for my truck not to haul it.

 

I know my fathers Diesel Pusher motorhome is rated to tow 10500 pounds , and pulling a 3000 pound car up the mountains in North Carolina etc. it slows down to under 20 mph at the tops. I think vehicles are rated are rated for flat roads .

 

Sounds like you were not at fault. Starting to sound mechanical, but it's going to be difficult to rule stuff out without more testing. 4LO for starters. Someone with a similar truck in automatic would be another good test.

Hopefully one of the other heavy towers will come along and offer some insight.

 

were you not able to back into the space where you turn around and get a run at the hill?

 

Did the truck lug down and die ot did the clutch start slipping?
I have pulled my tractor and my rock crawler on my car hauler out of similar situations as you are describing without issue. Even on loose terrain mine does well.

 

@Pisan1 was the truck wanting to spin? Traction control could have been interfering and killing the truck. I had this experience in my 2016 4wd 2.7L with a manual trans last winter. Unfortunately I had to sell that truck. One of the reasons was the 2.7 couldn't really handle my boat.

 

Not enough room for a running start unfortunately.

 

Truck lugged down and died.